Septic tank cleaning valve

ABSTRACT

A valve is incorporated in a multiple compartment septic tank with the valve being operable to intercommunicate the compartments of the tank thereby to facilitate flushing of all of the compartments of the tank simultaneously with a single source of liquid.

United States Patent Melvin L. Dieterich North Olmsted, Ohio 841,870 July 15, 1969 June 29, 1971 The Standard Products Company Cleveland, Ohio .lnventor Appl. No. Filed Patented Assi'gnee SEPTIC TANK CLEANING VALVE 8 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

11.8. C1 137/572, 137/574,2l0/532 1nt.Cl C02c 1/28 Field of Search 137/574,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/1953 Nebolsine r. 210/532 X 8/1963 Austin et al. 210/195 X 1/1966 Pr0udman..... 210/532 5/1967 Clawson et a1 137/576 Primary ExaminerW illiam R. Cline Attorney-Meyer, Tilberry & Body ABSTRACT: A valve is incorporated in a multiple compartment septic tank with the valve being operable to intercommunicate the compartments of the tank thereby to facilitate flushing of all of the compartments of the tank simultaneously I with a single source of liquid.

PATENTED JUN29 |97i SHEET 1 OF 2 INVENTOR. MELVIN L.D|ETERICH ATTORNEYS.

SEPTIC TANK CLEANING VALVE This invention relates to the field of septic tanks and, more particularly, to a cleaning valve arrangement for incorporation in a multiple compartment septic tank.

Although not limited thereto, the cleaning valve arrangement of this invention has particular utility in septic tanks of the type adapted to be employed in waste disposal systems for vehicular units such as buses, trucks, house trailers, mobile homes, marine craft and various other classes of vehicles utilized for human transportation. It will be appreciated that the cleaning valve arrangement disclosed herein may also find utility in almost any waste disposal system which employs a septic tank and in which periodic flushing of the tank is necessary.

It is conventional in waste disposal systems to employ a septic tank into which the waste products are deposited for disposal. Conventional septic tanks normally comprise a closed receptacle in which the solid materials present in the waste products are digestively attacked by anaerobic and aerobic organisms. As is well known, it is the action of these organisms that reduces the solids and pollutants to a partially purified fluid solution. It is also well known that it is highly desirable to retain the waste materials in the septic tank as long as possible thereby to obtain the full benefit of the bacteriological action on the waste products before final disposal. To this end, it has been suggested to employ a compartmented septic tank in which waste products are deposited in one of the compartments with flow passages being provided for the waste products to flow progressively from one compartment to another until they are finally withdrawn from the tank for final disposal. In this manner, each quantity of waste products introduced to the tank is retained within the tank for a substantial period of time during which it is subjected to bacteriological treatment.

The compartmented approach to the design of septic tanks is generally satisfactory but does involve some problems. One major problem is the difficulty in periodically cleaning the various compartments of the tank. Thus, as the bacteriological treatment of the waste products occurs, a certain amount of sludge and residue settles out of the waste products in each of the compartments. As a result, over a period of time, there is a buildup of residue on the bottom of each compartment and this residue must periodically be removed. However, since the compartments are separated except for predetermined flow passages many of which are spaced above the bottom of the tank, it is virtually impossible to flush the collected residue on the bottom of each compartment without providing a separate drain opening in each compartment. To provide such openings in each compartment obviously increases the cost of the septic tank and also makes the cleaning operation time consuming. Moreover, the residue in these compartments has an unpleasant odor which mitigates against discharging the contents other than through a single controlled outlet.

It is the principal object of this invention to provide a cleaning valve arrangement for a multiple compartment septic tank whereby all of the compartments in the tank may be selectively intercommunicated for periodic flushing by a single source of liquid.

In accordance with this primary aspect of the invention, there is provided a multiple compartment septic tank having interior walls which divide the tank into a plurality of separate compartments. The interior walls are so arranged that there is a wall which is common to each of the compartments. A valve is associated with the common wall with the valve being operable selectively to intercommunicate all of the compartments. In this manner, a single inlet in one of the compartments enables the flushing medium introduced into that compartment to flow throughout the septic tank with the accumulated residue in each of the compartments in the tank being washed out through a single outlet.

In the preferred form of the invention, the common wall has openings formed near the bottom thereof with the openings describing flow paths into and out of each compartment. A slide plate having a corresponding number of openings is slidably received adjacent the openings in the common wall. By adjusting the position of the slide plate, the openings in the common wall may be closed or the openings in the plate may be aligned with the openings in the wall thereby intercommunicating the compartments.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts in the various views:

FIG. I is a top plan view of a septic tank employing the cleaning valve of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view, partly in section, of the tank of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an end elevation view of the tank of FIG. .1.

Referring now more in detail to the drawings, the cleaning valve of the present invention is illustrated as adapted for use with a septic tank 10 which may be advantageously employed in a waste disposal system of the type generally disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,342,337. Reference may be had to that prior patent for a complete disclosure of the waste disposal system. As disclosed in that patent, the system includes a septic tank into which waste products are introduced for bacteriological treatment. Thereafter, the liquid waste materials are withdrawn from the septic tank and transmitted to a boiler unit for final disposal of the waste products through vaporization.

The septic tank may take various forms but, as shown in FIG. ll, comprises a receptacle or container having a bottom wall 12, sidewalls I4, end walls 16 and a top wall 18. Internally of the receptacle is a longitudinal wall 20 which divides the tank into two major compartments. These major compartments in turn are subdivided by additional interior walls or baffles 22a, 22b, 22c and 22d into a plurality of compartments. As illustrated, there are six compartments 24, 26, 28, 30, 32 and 34 although it will be appreciated that the number of compartments may be varied. Each baffle extends from one of the outer walls 14 to the longitudinal interior wall 20. Bafi'les 22b and 22c extend from the top wall 18 downward to a point above the bottom wall 12 while baffles 22a and 22d extend from the bottom wall 12 upward to a point spaced from the top wall 18. In this manner, a predetermined flow path of liquid within the container is obtained. Thus, liquid in the compartment 24 will build up until its level exceeds the height of the baffle 22a at which time the liquid will spill over into compartment 26. The liquid entering compartment 26 will run under the next baffle 22b into compartment 28. The liquid level will then build up in compartments 26 and 28 until the level in compartment 28 reaches the bottom of a cutout opening 36 in the longitudinal wall 20. At this point, the liquid in compartment 28 will spill over into compartment 30, run under the baffle 22c separating compartment 30 from compartment 32 and build up until such time as the liquid level exceeds the height of baffle 22d separating compartments 32 and 34. Thereafter, the liquid in compartment 32 will spill over into compartment 34 and be withdrawn from the tank through an outlet 38.

It is contemplated that an inlet 40 will be formed in the top wall 18 and positioned over compartment 24 so that waste materials may be introduced through the inlet for treatment in the tank.

As an optional feature, an additional inlet 42 may be formed in the top wall 18 and positioned over compartment 34. This secondary inlet 42 may be used for introduction of liquid waste which requires little or no bacteriological treatment. For example, the inlet 42 might be connected to a wash basin or to a shower with the inlet 40 being connected to the toilet.

A drain valve 44 is connected to the interior of compartment 34 for selective-draining of the tank in a manner to be described hereinafter.

In accordance with the principal aspects of this invention, the longitudinal wall 20 includes a plurality of apertures 20a,

b, 20c, 20d and 202 spaced along the length thereof and ad jacent the bottom wall 12. Each of the apertures interconnects at least one compartment with another. For example, aperture 20a interconnects compartments 28 and 30 while aperture 20b interconnects compartment 30 with compartment 26. In this manner, the apertures provide a flow path whereby liquid may flow in series from one compartment to the next.

A valve is associated with the apertures 20ae and provides a means for selectively opening and closing these apertures. in the preferred embodiment of the invention, this valve com prises a movable valve member in the form of a slide plate 50 which is secured to the wall 20 by appropriate fasteners 52. Slots 54 in the plate 50 permit the plate to slide longitudinally relative to the wall 20. The plate 50 includes a plurality of apertures 50ae which are equal in number and size to the apertures in the wall 20. The apertures SOa-e are positioned in the plate 50 such that they may be selectively brought into and out of alignment with the apertures in the wall 20 depending on the adjusted longitudinal position of the plate 50. Thus, in one position, the apertures in the plate are aligned with the apertures in the wall 20 whereby fluid may flow from one compartment to another. in a second position of the plate 50, the apertures in the plate are spaced from the apertures in the wall thereby restraining the flow of liquid between compartments.

The adjusted position of the plate 50 may be controlled by any suitable means. As illustrated in FIG. 1, an operating handle 56 extends through the end wall 16 into the compartment 24 where it is connected by any suitable means to the adjacent end of the plate 50. An appropriate packing gland 58 may be provided to seal the point of entry of the handle 56 into the interior of the tank. In this manner, it is necessary merely to grasp the handle 56 and manually push or pull in the appropriate direction to adjust the position of the plate 50. Obviously, operation of the plate may also be controlled by other means such as by a solenoid.

The above-described arrangement operates in the following manner. In normal operation of the septic tank, waste material is introduced through the inlet 40 into compartment 24 where it is subjected to bacteriological treatment. At this time, the handle 56 will be in the position illustrated in FIG. 1 wherein the apertures 50ae in slide valve 50 are spaced from the apertures 20a-e in wall 20 thereby preventing any substantial flow of liquid between compartments through the apertures. As described above the liquid will build up in compartment 24 until such time as it will flow over and under the baffles 22 on one side of the longitudinal wall 20, through the opening 36 in the wall 20 and then under and over the baffles on the other side of the wall to compartment 34 where it will be withdrawn through the outlet 38 for final disposal.

In the event it should be decided to drain and clean the tank, the handle 56 of the slide valve would be pulled outward thereby displacing the slide plate 50 longitudinally to a position where the apertures in the slide plate are aligned with the apertures in the wall 20. The drain valve 44 would then be connected to a hose and the drain valve opened. The liquid in compartments, 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32 would flow in and out of the various apertures and ultimately into compartment 34 whereby the liquid in all of the compartments of the tank would be withdrawn and passed through the hose to a sewer or other suitable means of disposal. However, after the liquid waste has been withdrawn from the tank, there remains a substantial amount of sludge and other residue in the bottom of the tank. To remove this residue, the slide plate 50 is maintained in its adjusted position and a source of flushing liquid is connected to a fitting 60 at the end of the tank opposite to the drain valve 44. The fitting 60 communicates with the interior of the compartment 28 so that the flushing fluid is introduced through the fitting 60 into the compartment 28. The flushing liquid in compartment 28 follows the same path as the liquid waste did when it was drained from the tank. Thus, the liquid fiows from compartment 28 under baffle 22b and through aperture 200 into compartments 26 and 30 as shown by the arrows in FIG. I and thereafter from compartment to compartment until reaching compartment 34 where it passes out of drain valve 44, carrying the residue with it.

After the tank has been thoroughly flushed, the source of flushing liquid is disconnected from the fitting 60, the valve is returned to its initial position, the drain valve 44 is closed and the tank is now ready for further usage.

Several advantages of this arrangement are to be noted. A major advantage is the simplicity of the arrangement. With a simple valve and a single additional inlet fitting, it is possible thoroughly to clean each of the compartments in the tank. Without the valve, it would be necessary to provide a separate inlet and drain for each of the compartments. Moreover, since the valve is disposed internally of the tank, it is unnecessary to have expensive seals to assure a fluid tight relationship. Any leakage which may occur simply results in liquid being transferred to another compartment and is not harmful if it occurs in small quantities. Further, the described valve arrangement eliminates any necessity for back flushing through the drain valve 44, a process which can be extremely unpleasant. With this arrangement, the cleaning of the tank is odor free and eliminates any possibility of coming into contact with the contents of the tank during the cleaning operation.

It will be appreciated that other forms of valves may be employed, the primary concept being the selective intercommunication of the various compartments of the tank for cleaning with a single source of liquid. For example, instead of a slide valve, a rotary valve which may comprise concentric, rotatable tubes having selectively aligned openings therethrough could be employed.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A septic tank comprising; a container having opposed spaced-apart top and bottom walls, opposed spaced-apart sidewalls and opposed spaced-apart end walls, interior wall means in said container extending between said top and bottom walls and said end walls intermediate said side walls for dividing said container into a plurality of major compartments, said interior wall means having opening means therethrough adjacent one of said end walls for establishing communication between said major compartments, baffle means in each of said major compartments extending laterally of said interior wall means toward said sidewalls for dividing each of said major compartments into a plurality of smaller compartments, said baffle means having opening means therethrough for establishing communication between said smaller compartments in each of said major compartments, aperture means in said interior wall means for establishing communication between said smaller compartments in one of said major compartments and said smaller compartments in the other of said major compartments, and valve means for selectively opening and closing said aperture means.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said aperture means comprises a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart apertures in said interior wall means adjacent said bottom wall, said valve means having a single operating member for simultaneously opening or closing said apertures.

3. The device of claim 1 and further including a waste inlet opening to one of said major compartments adjacent the other of said end walls opposite to said one end wall adjacent which said opening means is formed in said interior wall means, and a waste outlet opening from the other of said major compartments adjacent said other end wall.

4. The device of claim 3 and further including a water inlet opening to one of said major compartments adjacent said one end wall.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said baffle means in one of said major compartments is staggered relative to said baffle means in the other of said major compartments longitudinally of said interior wall means so that one baffle in said one major compartment separating a pair of smaller compartments intersects said interior wall means intermediate one smaller compartment in said other major compartment, said aperture means being formed in said interior wall means on opposite sides of said one baffle to establish communication between said one smaller compartment and both of said pair of smaller compartments.

6. In a septic tank having opposed spaced-apart top and bottom walls, opposed spaced-apart sidewalls and opposed spaced-apart end walls, interior wall means in said tank extending between said top and bottom walls and said end walls intermediate said sidewalls for dividing said tank into a plurality of major. compartments, said interior wall means having a plurality of spaced-apart apertures therethrough adjacent said bottom wall, valve means movably attached to said tank for selectively opening and closing said apertures, and a single handle member for operating said valve means to simultaneously open or close said apertures.

7. A septic tank having opposed spaced-apart top and bottom walls, opposed spaced-apart sidewalls and opposed spaced-apart end walls, an interior wall extending between said top and bottom walls and said end walls intermediate said sidewalls, said interior wall dividingsaid tank into first and second major compartments and having an opening therethrough adjacent one of said end walls and said top wall,

a first baffle in said first major compartment extending between said interior wall and one of said sidewalls and dividing said first major compartment into a pair of adjacent smaller compartments, a second baffle in said second major compartment extending between said interior wall and the other of said sidewalls and dividing said second major compartment into a pair of adjacent smaller compartments, said first baffle being positioned closer to said one end wall than said second baffle, a plurality of apertures formed in said interior wall adjacent said bottom wall, said apertures being located on opposite sides of both said first and second baffles, and valve means for selectively opening and closing said apertures.

8. The device of claim 7 and further including a waste inlet opening to said first major compartment adjacent the other of said end walls, a waste outlet opening from said second major compartment adjacent said other end wall, and a water inlet opening to one of said major compartments adjacent said one end wall. 

1. A septic tank comprising; a container having opposed spacedapart top and bottom walls, opposed spaced-apart sidewalls and opposed spaced-apart end walls, interior wall means in said container extending between said top and bottom walls and said end walls intermediate said side walls for dividing said container into a plurality of major compartments, said interior wall means having opening means therethrough adjacent one of said end walls for establishing communication between said major compartments, baffle means in each of said major compartments extending laterally of said interior wall means toward said sidewalls for dividing each of said major compaRtments into a plurality of smaller compartments, said baffle means having opening means therethrough for establishing communication between said smaller compartments in each of said major compartments, aperture means in said interior wall means for establishing communication between said smaller compartments in one of said major compartments and said smaller compartments in the other of said major compartments, and valve means for selectively opening and closing said aperture means.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said aperture means comprises a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart apertures in said interior wall means adjacent said bottom wall, said valve means having a single operating member for simultaneously opening or closing said apertures.
 3. The device of claim 1 and further including a waste inlet opening to one of said major compartments adjacent the other of said end walls opposite to said one end wall adjacent which said opening means is formed in said interior wall means, and a waste outlet opening from the other of said major compartments adjacent said other end wall.
 4. The device of claim 3 and further including a water inlet opening to one of said major compartments adjacent said one end wall.
 5. The device of claim 1 wherein said baffle means in one of said major compartments is staggered relative to said baffle means in the other of said major compartments longitudinally of said interior wall means so that one baffle in said one major compartment separating a pair of smaller compartments intersects said interior wall means intermediate one smaller compartment in said other major compartment, said aperture means being formed in said interior wall means on opposite sides of said one baffle to establish communication between said one smaller compartment and both of said pair of smaller compartments.
 6. In a septic tank having opposed spaced-apart top and bottom walls, opposed spaced-apart sidewalls and opposed spaced-apart end walls, interior wall means in said tank extending between said top and bottom walls and said end walls intermediate said sidewalls for dividing said tank into a plurality of major compartments, said interior wall means having a plurality of spaced-apart apertures therethrough adjacent said bottom wall, valve means movably attached to said tank for selectively opening and closing said apertures, and a single handle member for operating said valve means to simultaneously open or close said apertures.
 7. A septic tank having opposed spaced-apart top and bottom walls, opposed spaced-apart sidewalls and opposed spaced-apart end walls, an interior wall extending between said top and bottom walls and said end walls intermediate said sidewalls, said interior wall dividing said tank into first and second major compartments and having an opening therethrough adjacent one of said end walls and said top wall, a first baffle in said first major compartment extending between said interior wall and one of said sidewalls and dividing said first major compartment into a pair of adjacent smaller compartments, a second baffle in said second major compartment extending between said interior wall and the other of said sidewalls and dividing said second major compartment into a pair of adjacent smaller compartments, said first baffle being positioned closer to said one end wall than said second baffle, a plurality of apertures formed in said interior wall adjacent said bottom wall, said apertures being located on opposite sides of both said first and second baffles, and valve means for selectively opening and closing said apertures.
 8. The device of claim 7 and further including a waste inlet opening to said first major compartment adjacent the other of said end walls, a waste outlet opening from said second major compartment adjacent said other end wall, and a water inlet opening to one of said major compartments adjacent said one end wall. 